Lake Waconia Fireworks Festival
Monday, July 4
The Lake Waconia Fireworks Festival, led by the Waconia Chamber of Commerce, hosts the 4th of July Fireworks display. A dedicated group of volunteers work very hard each year to put on the incredible show. The fireworks are completely funded by donations from our local businesses, organizations, and community members. We are still looking for additional sponsors to support and fund this year’s show.
Help promote the event and hang a flyer in your business, or put out donation cans.
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16th Annual Waconia Chamber Golf Scramble
Monday, July 18
10:30AM Registration
12PM Shotgun start
Island View Golf Club
We invite accomplished, amateur, and wanna-be golfers to join us in this exciting scramble format. There will be plenty of opportunities to showcase your talent with games and challenges. Open to the public.
Don't golf? Volunteer, sponsor a hole, or donate to the silent auction!
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A Message from the President |
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Today's report card: Updates in workforce and state advocacy
by Christine Fenner
President, Waconia Chamber of Commerce
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Congratulations to the Class of 2022 Graduates! I’m very proud of the many accomplishments of the graduating seniors and the connections developed with area business leaders. This month at the 2nd Annual Waconia Works Signing Day we celebrated 4 students and the companies that provided work and education opportunities in the fields of Manufacturing and Trades. Also, earlier this week, we awarded $3,000 in scholarships to three Waconia High School students. Congratulations to Hailey Bigaouette, Andrew Schwob, and Jake Schramm. Funding for these scholarships was generated from our Career Exploration Fair & Community Expo held this past spring. We’re grateful for the community partnerships, and wish the graduates all the best! Continue reading...
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Frontline Worker Pay
Application period not yet open
The State released an information sheet on frontline worker pay two weeks ago. Please note: The application period has not yet opened and likely will not until early June. Also, visit the State frontline worker bonus pay website to sign up for future updates.
Do you have questions on the recently passed unemployment insurance replenishment? Visit the State unemployment insurance trust fund update page.
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MinneGlass
Reed Anderson
10710 Hwy 7, Watertown
952-334-5387
Automotive service
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Ambassador Visits & Ribbon Cuttings |
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Primary contact: Dale Inman
100 W Main St, Waconia
(952) 442-2930
Mystic Fortress Games is celebrating a new, bigger location one door down. The new location at 100 W Main Street adds more space for product, as well as additional space for guests to gather and play games. Mystic Fortress Games also plans to rent out the front game room for birthday parties or other small gaming events.
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Neubauer Chiropractic Health Center |
Primary contact: Dr. Dan Neubauer
20 West Main St, Waconia
(952) 442-9876
Neubauer Chiropractic Health Center has been in business for 32 years and is also celebrating 32 years as a Waconia Chamber member . Neubauer Chiropractic is a family practice with infant patients up to the oldest patients in their 90s.
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Primary contact: Eleece Pink
34 W Main St, Waconia
(952) 334-1255
Eleece Pink took over ownership of The Stash as of May 1, 2022. Previously Eleece was the store manager. Eleece wanted to own a small boutique since a young age and hopes to pass her love of downtown shops and supporting small business to a younger generation.
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Welcome Chamber Intern Caleb!
Caleb Sebora is a new Waconia Chamber of Commerce intern. He grew up right down the road in Lester Prairie, but his family now calls Waconia home, where his mother teaches at the Transitions program for the school district. He graduated from Creighton University (Omaha, NE) in 2019. Currently, he is obtaining a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota and is excited to see and understand business and economic opportunity at the local level here in Waconia. Caleb describes himself as a very outgoing person, so if you see him around town, don’t be afraid to say hi!
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2nd Annual Waconia Works Signing Day
An opportunity to recognize Waconia High School seniors for their decision to enter the workforce post-graduation with a local company in the area of manufacturing or trades; and to highlight the local businesses that provide those opportunities. Thanks to businesses Waconia Dodge, Modern Design Cabinetry, Mike's Electrical Contracting, and Crimson Copper Plumbing. Congratulations Konrad Breeggemann, Jake Schramm, Cole Machtemes, and Devin Beilke! Thank you to WHS Industrial Tech teachers, Peter Brown and Sam Porthan.
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Jake Schramm accepted a job with Waconia Dodge as an Automotive Technician and will continue education at Hennepin Tech. |
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Konrad Breeggemann will be working at Modern Design Cabinetry as a cabinet builder. |
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L to R: Konrad Breeggemann, Jake Schramm, Cole Machtemes, Devin Beilke |
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The Waconia Lions Club donated $10,000 to the WHS Industrial Tech program for a CNC router and plasma cutter. |
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Congrats 2022 Chamber Scholarship Winners
The Chamber Scholarship Committee awarded scholarships to three Waconia High School students this year. The three recipients best exemplified the following criteria:
- What influenced their program of study.
- Their extra-curricular activities and community events.
- Their understanding of the mission of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce.
- How they persevered through a difficult situation.
- What they would do if they could start a small business in the Waconia area.
Congratulations to the three scholarship winners!
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Hailey Bigaouette
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Entrepreneurship and Marketing
Hailey works at The Stash and has been involved with several Chamber retail events. Her program of study was directly influenced by working for a small business.
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Andrew Schwob
University of Iowa
Business Management
and Marketing
Andrew had the opportunity to run a real-world business as part of the WHS Entrepreneurship class producing and selling products.
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Jake Schramm
Hennepin Technical College
Automotive Maintenance and Technology
An Eagle Scout, Jake was involved in the 2nd Annual Waconia Works Signing Day and will be working with Waconia Dodge.
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Waconia Chamber Yearbook
We thought it might be fun to see high school senior photos from our members. Thanks to everyone who played along and took us up on last week’s request in Friday Facts to submit photos. Enjoy the flashback Friday Waconia Chamber (mini) Yearbook!
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Allen Cole
Island View Golf Club
Class of 1995
Marshall Senior High
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Dee DeLange
Waconia Brewing Company
Class of 1987
Burt High School (Iowa)
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Pat Devine
Waconia Public Schools
Class of 1979
Wakonda, SD
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Kelly Dohm
Melchert Hubert Sjodin
Class of 1987
LaFollette High School (Wis.)
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Laura Falk
Smothers & Falk Realty Group
Class of 2006
Wabasha-Kellogg High School
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Christine Fenner
Waconia Chamber of Commerce
Class of 1999
St. Cloud Apollo High School
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Shane Fineran
City of Waconia
Class of 1996
St. Francis Senior High School
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Todd Hann
HomeTown Bank
Class of 2000
Crookston High School
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Greg James
Iron Tap
Class of 1996
North Judson, Indiana
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Chelsey Koubsky
Waconia Chamber of Commerce
Class of 2005
Mayer Lutheran High School
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Kim Mackenthun
Mackenthun’s Fine Foods
Class of 1969
Waconia High School
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Jaime Mackenthun
Mackenthun’s Fine Foods
Class of 1995
Waconia High School
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Lisa Steinbauer
Ridgview
Class of 1984
St. Charles High School
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Andy Strong
Waconia Dodge
Class of 1989
Waconia High School
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Jessa Theis
Mackenthun’s Fine Foods
Class of 1997
Waconia High School
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Jason Tollefsrud
Cabinetworks Group
Class of 1993
Waconia High School
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Member News and Happenings |
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Sister Saturday Recap
Thanks for another great Sister Saturday! Mark your calendar for next year: May 13, 2023.
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$250,000 Grant Awarded to Carver County Historical Society
The Historic Andrew Peterson Farmstead farmhouse restoration was able to move forward thanks to the 2 for 1 Challenge Grant provided by the Jeffris Family Foundation, and the donations over 200 individuals, Carver County, and many other foundations.
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Emagine Waconia Theatre: Movies Playing This Weekend
- Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
- Downtown Abbey: A New Era
- The Bad Guys
- The Bob's Burgers Movie
- Top Gun: Maverick
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Red, White, & Blues Festival
Saturday, May 28
12-8:00PM
The Winery at Sovereign Estate
Join us for a special day filled with LIVE music and delicious wine on in our Marquette Pavilion. Tickets are $15 dollars and includes a flight of three 2 oz wine samples of our selected specialty wines, a souvenir stemless tumbler, and open seating at all three live performances of the best blues in the state. Tickets are for all day admission.
MUSICAL LINE-UP
12pm-2pm: Jennifer Grimm
2pm-5pm: Clark Machtemes and Traveled Ground
5pm-8pm: Papa Greezy Band with Neil Uhlenhake
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Memorial Day Service Program
Monday, May 30
11:00AM
City Square Park
Please join the American Legion for a special service in Waconia on Monday May 30th to pay tribute to those who fought and died in battle for our great country. The event starts at 10:45 AM with a parade that begins at the intersection of 2nd & Olive Street and ends at City Square Park. The formal service program follows at 11:00 AM in City Square Park and features guest speakers. A rededication of the newly restored WWI Monument is also planned for this event.
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June Coffee Connection
Thursday, June 2
Trending Upward Thrift Shoppe
141 Depot Drive, Waconia
Network and connect! We'd love to hear what's new with you and your business. Coffee and a light snack will be served. No need to register. Stop in for as long as your schedule allows. FREE! Hope to see you there!
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Waconia Rodeo
June 3 & 4
Carver County Fair Grounds
Extreme Events is proud to present the Waconia Rodeo June 3 & 4 at the Carver County Fairgrounds! The gates open at 5PM each night with pony rides from 6-6:45PM and the main event starting at 7:30PM. Events include bareback and saddle bronc riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, team roping, and more! Tickets on sale now online.
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Lola's Lake Waconia Race
Saturday, June 4
Join us for the 11th Annual Lola's Lake Waconia Half Marathon, 10 Mile & 5K race. This race is around the beautiful Lake Waconia. Race starts and finishes at City Square park then join the post race party at Lola's Lake House. The event features a half marathon / 10 mile / 5k / Kids Run.
Don't run? Come out and cheer on the runners. Except traffic delays around the race route on race day.
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Yetzer Memorial Day Rug Sale
Thru June 6
Yetzer Home Store
33 W 1st St, Waconia
Our annual Memorial Day Rug Sale offers up to 80% OFF, FREE shipping* and other surprise savings on rugs from leading area rug manufacturers. Enjoy saving on over 100,000 area rugs, now through June 6th, 2022. Visit our website to shop.
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Memorial Blood Centers Announces Blood Emergency
Friday, June 10
Ridgeview
Memorial Blood Centers (MBC) announced a blood emergency, noting the most critical needs are type O, Rh negative and platelets. The general blood supply currently stands at a 2-to-3-day level, with type O and platelets at just a 1-to-2-day level. This is well below the ideal inventory of 5-7 days. To make an appointment call 1.888.GIVE.BLD (1.888.448.3253) or visit mbc.org/donate. If appointments are tight book a little further out. The need will continue throughout the summer.
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Congrats on 3 Years Sam & Friends!
Saturday, June 11
9:00AM-3:00PM
44 W 1st St, Waconia
WOW! The years sure go by FAST! It's almost time to celebrate our 3rd Birthday at Sam & Friends Waconia. We hope you will join us to celebrate on Saturday, June 11th. Thank you for supporting our dream.
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Shape It Up Fitness Self Growth Workshop
Thursday, June 16
6:30PM-7:30PM
Shape It Up Fitness
Thursday, June 16 Self Growth Workshop 7F's by Tim Schmidt, DRYDOCK Consulting. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. $49
June 6- July 1
4 weeks to Fuel Your Body Better, $99
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Andy Mohn State Farm Hiring
If you or someone you know is looking for a new career please apply! We are looking to grow our office with amazing team members that love helping people and making a difference in our communities!
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Good Samaritan Society & Westview Acres Hiring
Westview Acres is hiring a Senior Living Sales Specialist. Rewarding job working with seniors and families to provide housing and services. Fast paced, dynamic, and sales centric.
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June Chamber Luncheon
Thursday, June 23, 2022
11:30AM-1:00PM
Location: City Square Park
War Memorial Restoration in City Square Park
Joe Gifford, American Legion Post 150
Cost: $30/member; $40/nonmember
Deadline to register: Monday, June 20
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Chamber Office Summer Hours
We will be closed on Monday, May 30 in observance of Memorial Day. Summer office hours will start on Tuesday, May 31.
Summer hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00AM-4:30PM, Friday 8:00AM-11:30AM.
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Chamber Calendar - June 2022 |
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JUNE 2 Coffee Connection, 7:30AM-9:00AM @Trending Upward Thrift Shoppe
JUNE 9 Retail Committee, 8-9:00AM @City Hall
JUNE 13 Business After Hours, 5-7:00PM @Waconia Lions Field
JUNE 14 Tourism Meeting, 9-10:00AM @Waconia Brewing Company
JUNE 15 Board Meeting, 11:30AM-1:00PM @City Hall
JUNE 16 Ambassadors, 8:45AM @City Hall
JUNE 23 Member Luncheon, 11:30AM-1PM @City Square Park
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Friday Facts is a publication of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce
952-442-5812
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